THE WORD: Young lost several key players from last season
when “everything fell into place.” The Wolves will be trying
to replicate that success this year with four starters returning on each side of the ball. Smith, a first-team all-district
selection as a sophomore, is the defensive signal-caller and
forms a strong backbone with tackles Torres and Brewer.
Dalhart has had two 1,000-yard backs for the past three
seasons, and now Harris and Perez will look to keep that
streak alive, handling rushing duties in the Wing-T. Harris
impressed in the playoff loss, gashing Shallowater for 176
yards. The Wolves will go with Brand at quarterback after the
presumed starter moved out of state. As many as nine players could have to start both ways, which is also a concern.
Dalhart has been a playoff team the past eight seasons and
has a good chance to add to that total in 2014.

THE WORD: Sims takes over for Scott Ponder, who left for
Bells after four seasons. The former Snyder and Grandview
coach inherits an abundance of skill kids, but Roberts is the
only proven lineman returning. Sims likes his quarterback
to be a running threat in his multiple-formation offense,
so Kimbro and Biddy could be the frontrunners. Whoever
inherits the job will have last year’s top five receivers back,
led by Swenson (37-405-6). Houston rushed for 522 yards
in his varsity debut, but the offense needs to execute better than last year when it scored a touchdown or less four
times. With his strength and athleticism, Radford ( 6-1,210)
could be a breakout player at defensive end or outside linebacker. The Hawks finished last in 5-3A a year ago, but lost
a couple winnable games down the stretch that sealed their
fate. Expect Iowa Park to have similar chances to make the
playoffs again.

THE WORD: Barring injuries, Coach Owens feels his team will
be considerably better by the end of the year. Offensively
the backfield returns completely intact with running backs
Jacob Lair ( 5’ 6, 190, 4. 85), and Nicko Jasso ( 6’0, 190, 4. 5).
Lair led the team in rushing with 1,189 yards on 173 carries
while Jasso pitched in 876 yards on 123 carries. Justice
Andrews saw relief duty where he rushed for 337 yards in
the Loboes Wing-T offense. The offensive line will be young
after graduating three of its starters but the two returning
are very solid linemen. Nathan Tone ( 5’ 9, 195) earned 1st
Team All-District honors last season and Franco Brock ( 6’0,
235) is back after a good 2013 season. The Loboes will
once again field a solid defense which will be particularly
strong at the linebacker and secondary positions. Brandon
Francisco ( 6’ 2, 192, 4. 8) earned All District honors at linebacker last season while defensive backs Dylan Anderson
( 5’ 11, 160, 4. 5) and Nathan Fuentes ( 5’ 8, 160, 4. 6) return
after combining for over 135 tackles in 2013.

THE WORD: 2014 looks promising for the Mustangs where
the team returns five starters on offense and four on defense
from a team who narrowly missed the playoffs in 2013. QB
Kaegan Jeffrey returns from a season where he threw for
2,752 yards, 34 TD’s, with only 8 interceptions. Jeffrey will
have a pair of reliable targets in receivers Isaiah McGee
and Bray Amos. Amos returns after leading the team with
67 catches for 1,067 yards and 19 TDs in 2013. McGee
finished 2013 with 582 yards on 34 catches and rushed
for 401 yards in 2013. The offensive line will anchored by
Tackles Zach Garcia and Ty Crain. Defensively, Corner Back
Isiah McGee lead the team in tackles last season with 66.
Tackle Cory Mendez and End Max Gomez will solidify what
should be a stout defensive line. Coach Mobley says the
strength of his squad this season will be overall team speed,
however he is looking for this years team to finish games as
this was a concern last year.

THE WORD: The Eagles rushed for 3,189 yards and averaged
365 yards per game in 2013. Returning running backs
John Hernandez and Jonathan Juarez combined for 944
yards and 12 TDs. There are two talented quarterbacks in
Joe Angel and Bubba Henson who will likely split time under
center but will also play all over the field on both sides of the
ball. Coach Henson says “The offensive line could be very
talented although not much experience. Mathew Seibert
is only starter returning on O line. He started 11 games at
center but will be moved to tackle next year to make room for
Michael Delgado a 6’ 2 300 LB Junior who is moving up from
JV.” The defense returns just two starters from last year and
will need to re-build in order to contend for a district championship in a much tougher district top to bottom. Linebacker
Lucas Cordova and corner back Alex Garcia combined for 65
tackles last season and will be called upon early to lead the
young defense.

THE WORD: Before last season, the Rangers seemed to have
the program pointed in the right direction while going 17-9
and a two round deep playoff run that all began in 2011. The
depth of Greenwoods district and youth of its key contributors on the roster, all combined for 2013’s disappointing 2-8
record. The Rangers are likely to regain that upward momentum once again in 2014. The offensive line will be much better this season with the return of linemen Jesus Rodriguez
( 5’ 10, 255) and Sean Strickland ( 6’0, 220) who earned 1st
and 2nd Team All-District honors last year. Dustin Rea ( 6’0,
200) will get the bulk of the carries at running back as he
is coming off a 2013 season where he rushed for just over
850 yards while earning 2ND Team All-District honors. Look
for a more experienced defense lead by linebackers Zach
Redwine ( 5’ 11, 190) and Jacob Rogers ( 6’0, 180).

THE WORD: With nine starters returning on offense and ten
on the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers are looking
to improve on last year’s 2-8 record and grab one of the district’s playoff spots. The offense will rely heavily on running
back Michael Garrison who at 5’ 11, 205 LBS, is a big strong
runner with above average quickness out of the backfield.
Receiver Gilbert Mata ( 5’ 8, 140) returns after hauling in 140
yards receiving and 80 yards rushing in 2013. Versatile utility player Lukas Singh will be called upon to keep defenses
on its heels after rushing for just over 340 yards and hauling
in 121 yards receiving last season. The experienced defense will be led by linebackers Ernesto Oyervidez ( 5’ 5, 140)
and Alan Owens ( 6’0, 205) who combined for 110 tackles
in last season’s campaign. Coach Taylor says “Our kids are
hungry for success and are working very hard to turn our
program around.”

THE WORD: After posting back to back 0-10 seasons in 2A Division I, second year coach David Ritchey is hoping this season’s
returning experience will help put his Golden Tornadoes back
in the win column. Lamesa will need to see improvement in a
running game that averaged only 139 yards per game in 2013.
Quarterback Roger Martin will help in that category as he is
the team’s leading returning rusher with 288 yards on 76 attempts. Martin was efficient in the passing game as he threw
for 1096 yards and 7 TDs. Martin’s main target will be receiver
Daruis Jackson who earned 1st Team All-District honors in
2013. Linebackers Caleb Sluder and Zach Garcia return after
leading the team in tackles last year. Overall there are likely
some depth issues but if Coach Ritchey is able to find a few
young players to contribute look for Lamesa start turning things
around in 2014.

THE WORD: A move to a new district sees the Bobcats back
as favorites to get the top spot after splitting ties with another perennial power in Argyle but Celina is worried more
about the postseason after a rare one-and-one appearance
last fall in a double-overtime loss to Gainesville. Leading the
way is Nathan Elliott, a four-year starter behind center and
one of eight returning starters on offense. Jarren Alexander
and Collin Schmid combined for nearly 1,000 rushing yards
and 11 touchdowns in part-time roles while Conder returns
as the leading receiving threat. Bryce Wimmer leads a young
yet experienced group of offensive linemen. Trenton Hambrick has been an all-district player and leads a unit that has
six starters back but has three holes to fill on the defensive
line. Both Payton Baird and Travis Tolbert are among the
Bobcats expected to produce in the secondary. The kicking
spot is up for grabs and might not be decided until the start
of the season.

THE WORD: Krum returns a significant number of starters from
a team that is looking to move back up the district standings
following a disappointing second year as a varsity program. The
Bobcats debuted with a 9-2 campaign before taking a tumble.
Now Krum has a 16 starters back — nine on offense. Colten
Graham took over during the season at quarterback and threw
for nearly 1,000 yards behind a line that has plenty of experience. Dane White will look to provide a threat on the ground
after Krum lost all-district back Brennan Ellis to graduation.
Taylor Holley and Ely Sanchez are half of the seniors back up
front. Riley Marshall led the Bobcats in tackles last season
while Tyrone Emery tops the secondary with four interceptions.
Junior Jacob Enis is expected to contribute on both sides of the
ball again this season. Krum will look to be in the mix for the
fourth playoff spot in a district that should provide plenty of
parity behind favored Celina.

ANNA COYOTES

ENROLLMENT: 609 ( 3)

2013 RECORD: 3-8 3A Div. I Bi-District Playoffs

THE COACH: Jason Heath

THE PLAYERS: Barry Sims (Sr., QB), Isaac Armijo (Jr., RB), J’Varri
Stewart (So., WR), Eric Jackson (Jr., WR), Dylan Duncan (Sr.,
WR), James Kemp (Sr., OL), Jeremy Mansur (Sr., OL), Ryan McCaslin (Jr., DL), Brandon Dossett (Jr., LB), William Lee (Sr., DB)
THE WORD: All eyes will be on the Coyotes’ backfield for different reasons. Running back Isaac Armijo stepped into the
starting lineup and produced a 1,486-yard, 25-touchdown
sophomore campaign and will look to duplicate that success. Anna will need to find a starting quarterback to pair
with Armijo and Barry Sims will get the first crack at the job.
If there is going to be a return to the playoffs, the offense will
need to lead the way with Dylan Duncan and James Kemp
returning because only three starters are back on defense.
A pair of juniors — Ryan McCaslin and Brandon Dossett — are
the key Coyotes as the unit gets an overhaul. J’Varri Stewart
jumped in as a freshman and will contribute even more in
his second season. Both special teams jobs are also up for
grabs. Anna won fewer games from 2012 and made the
postseason but repeating that feat probably won’t happen
again in a tougher district.

THE WORD: Bonham is coming off its first postseason victory
since 2005 and a district shift to the west comes at a time
when the Warriors are looking to continue heading north
in the standings. All of the program’s losses came against
playoff teams in 2013. The loss of quarterback Dra Smith,
who was the district MVP, was the focal point going into the
off-season. Kyle Copeland is expected to have the first shot
to lead the offense. Whoever wins the job will have some
weapons to work with. Kenton Manis saw time at running
back and will get a majority of carries, Jared Prock returns at
receiver and Kendall Kennedy received all-district honors at
tight end. Caleb Hill and Tad Kissling are among those leading the way on the offensive line. There are more questions
on defense. Clay Stephens is a known quantity up front and
Manis is back at linebacker but there spots available across
the unit to be claimed going into the season.